Forward folding basketball backstop

ABSTRACT

A support for a basketball goal. A first support boom is connected at one end to a stationary overhead structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a lower use position and an upper storage position, the other end of the first boom being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal. The first boom carries a pair of roller stops intermediate its ends. A second support boom is connected at one end to the stationary structure for pivotal movement about a second axis and between a lower position and an upper position, the second axis being parallel to the pivot axis of the first boom. The second boom is bifurcated in its distal region to straddle the first boom, and its distal extremity is closed by a transverse member constituting a second stop means which, when the second boom is in its lower position, engages that surface of the first boom which is remote from the second axis to support the first boom in its use position. A cord and pulley system is provided to lift the first boom from its use position to its storage position, and the pair of stops coact with the second boom during such movement to lift the second boom also to its storage position. There is described, therefore, a support comprising a pair of interlocking booms, both of which are foldable between a lower use position and an upper storage position.

United States Patent Joseph W Duganich Pendleton, Ind. [21] Appl.No. 750,304

[72] Inventor [22] Filed Aug. 5,1968 [45] Patented Feb. 9, 1971 [73] Assignee Institutional Equipment Corporation Pendleton, Ind. a corporation of Indiana [54] FORWARD FOLDING BASKETBALL BACKSTOP 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 273/1.5, 248/293, 248/324 [51] Int. Cl A631) 63/04 [50] Field of Search 273/15;

Primary Examiner-Richard C Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E Shapiro Attorney-Hood, Gust, Lundy & lrish ABSTRACT: A support for a basketball goal. A first support boom is connected at one end to a stationary overhead structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a lower use position and an upper storage position, the other end of the first boom being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal. The first boom carries a pair of roller stops intermediate its ends. A second support boom is connected at one end to the stationary structure for pivotal movement about a second axis and between a lower position and an upper position, the second axis being parallel to the pivot axis of the first boom. The second boom is bifurcated in its distal region to straddle the first boom, and its distal extremity is closed by a transverse member constituting a second stop means which, when the second boom is in its lower position, engages that surface of the first boom which is remote from the second axis to support the first boom in its use position. A cord and pulley system is provided to lift the first boom from its use position to its storage position, and the pair of stops coact with the second boom during such movement to lift the second boom also to its storage position. There is described, therefore, a support comprising a pair of interlocking booms, both of which are foldable between a lower use position and an upper storage position.

FORWARD FOLDING BASKETBALL BACKSTOP It is a primary object of my invention to provide support means for a basketball goal including a backboard and hoop, which means can be mounted on the superstructure of a gymnasium to be foldable between a lower, use position to an upper, storage position.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a support means comprising a main or first support boom, one end of which is to be pivotally connected to a support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis and the other end of which is proportioned and designed to carry a backstop, the boom being foldable forwardly from its lower, use position to its upper, storage position. In its use position, this main support boom is inclined downwardly and forwardly at an angle of, for instance, approximately 60 relative to a horizontal plane, such as the playing floor of the gymnasium. I provide a second support boom which is to be pivotally connected to the superstructure at a point forwardly of the pivotal connection for the main boom so that, when the second boom is in its lower, use position, it is inclined downwardly and rearwardly. This second boom carries, at its distal end, a stop means which engages the main boom and holds it in its lower, use position. The main boom carries, intermediate its ends, stop means for engaging the second boom and holding it in its lower, use position. The main boom and second boom are arranged so that, when the main boom is lifted to its storage position, the main boom will lift the second boom to its storage position.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent as this description progresses.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my support means for a basketball goal;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the support means; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, slightly enlarged, taken from FIG. 2 generally along the line 3-3.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my support means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, comprises a first support boom 12 and a second support boom 14.

I prefer to construct the main support boom 12 by welding together a heavy steel tube 16, a steel channel member I8, a pair of gusset plates and a pair of steel pipes 22, 24. As illustrated in FIG. I, the upper end of the tube 16 is connected to the mid section of the channel member 18 which extends perpendicularly to the tube and a pipe 22, 24 extends between each outer end portion of the member 18 and a point 26 on the tube 16. The gusset plates 20 are connected between the tube 16 and the member 18 in conventional fashion.

I prefer that the tube 16 be 6 inches OD. l l gage steel tubing which is commercially available and which will be adequately rigid, but yet not overly heavy. Further, I prefer that the pipes 22, 24 be commercially available lhinch O.D. steel pipe and that the channel member 18 be a l-linch X 3 inch steel channel. I have found that it is desirable to weld a flat steel plate across the upper edges of the sidewalls of the channel member 18, thereby to provide a hollow member having a rectangular cross section. It is for this reason that, in the drawings, the member 18 appears to have such a rectangular cross section.

I also prefer that the length of each pipe 22, 24 be just slightly less than the total length of the member 18 and that the angle between each pipe 22, 24 and the tube 16 be approximately 30".

l have illustrated a conventional basketball goal 30 connected to the tube I6 at its end remote from the member 18. Specifically, an inverted L-shaped member 32 is connected to each side of the tube I6 (only one member 32 being shown) and the goal 30 is connected to the L-shaped members as indicated at 34.

I prefer to provide the boom I2 with an eye bolt 38 disposed at each end of the member 18 and arranged to mount the boom 12 for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis. It will be understood that these eye bolts 38 are merely illustrative and that other types of connecting means may be used pivotally to mount the boom 12.

When the boom I2 is in its lower, use position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the bankboard of the goal 30 is perpendicular to the playing floor of the gymnasium in which the support means 10 is mounted. When the boom I2 is lifted to its storage position shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, the bankboard of the goal 30 will form an acute angle with the playing floor.

The second boom 14 is arranged to engage the first boom I2 and to hold the first boom against pivotal movement rearwardly from its lower, use position shown in FIG. 2. Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that this boom 14 comprises a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally-extending pipes 44, 46. a pair of diagonally-extending pipes 48, 50 and a channel member 18. The upper ends of the pipes 44,46 are connected to spaced-apart portions of the midsection of the member 52 and a pipe 48, 50 is connected between each outer end portion of the member 52 and a point 54, 56 intermediate the ends of the adjacent pipe 44, 46. A pipe 58, which extends parallel to the member 52, is connected between the pipes 44, 46 at the points indicated at 54, 56. For a reason to be discussed hereinafter, a sleeve 60 is journaled for rotation on the pipe 58.

The ends of the pipes 44, 46 remote from the member 52 are connected by a member 64 having a part circular cutout 66 therein (FIG. 3) for engaging the tube I6. The member 64, which serves as a stop means, is fastened to the pipes 44,46 by fastening elements 70, 72 (FIG. 3).

The pipes 44, 46, 48, 50 may be l-Vainch steel pipes welded together and welded to the member 52. Likewise, the sleeve 60 may be placed on the pipe 58 before it is welded between the pipes 44, 46.

It will be seen that the pipe 58 extends above the tube I6 and across its path of movement and that the member 64 extends below the tube 16 and across its path of movement.

The boom 12 further comprises a pipe 76, 78 extending parallel to the member 18 and between each pipe 22, 24 and the tube 16. A sleeve 80, 82 is journaled on each of these pipes 76, 78. When the boom 12 is lifted in the direction of the arrow 84 (FIG. 2), each sleeve 80, 82 will rollably engage the pipe 44, 46 extending thereabove to lift the boom I4 in the direction of the arrow 86. After the boom 12 has been lifted approximately 30, the tube 16 will engage the sleeve 60 to lift the boom 14 to its upper position illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 2.

The sleeves 80, 82 will roll, respectively, against the pipes 44, 46 and the sleeve 60 will roll on the tube 16. The rolling action provided by the sleeves 60, 80, 82 assures smooth manipulation ofthe booms l2, 14.

It will be appreciated that the pipes 76, 78 with the sleeves 80, 82 thereon act as stop means for engaging and holding the boom 14 in its lower position. That is, the pipes 76, 78 and the sleeves 80, 82 disposed thereon prevent pivotal movement of the boom 14 from its lower position in the direction opposite to the arrow 86.

I have illustrated a portion of a cable which is usable with a pulley system to lift the boom 12 to its storage position, the cable being connected to the tube 16 as indicated at 92. The booms I2 and 14 are biased by gravity to their lower'positions illustrated in FIG. 2.

Thus, my support means 10 comprises a first boom I2 which is swingable about a first generally horizontal overhead axis and a second boom 14 which is swingable about a second generally-horizontal overhead axis which is parallel to and spaced forwardly of the first axis, the distal region of the second boom being operatively connected to the first boom for movement longitudinally of the first boom. Stop means including each pipe 76, 78 and its respective roller sleeve 80, 82 is provided on the first boom 12 for limiting the travel of the distal region of the second boom 14 toward the distal region of the first boom. Stop means including the brace member 64 is carried by the second boom and arranged to embrace the first boom 12 in the region between the member 18, i.e., the pivot axis of the boom 12, and the pipes 76, 78. Further, lifter means including the flexible strand 90 is provided for raising the boom 12 and boom 14 to their respective upper positions.

lclaim:

1. Support means for a basketball goal which includes a bankboard and a hoop disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the bankboard; said support means comprising a first boom, means for mounting said boom to swing, about an overhead, substantially horizontal axis, between an upper, storage position and a lower, use position in which said boom is inclined downwardly and forwardly from said axis, a second boom, means for mounting said second boom to swing about an overhead axis parallel with, and spaced forwardly from, said first-named axis, the distal region of said second boom embracing said first boom for movement longitudinally of said first boom, roller means carried by said second boom and transversely engaging that longitudinal surface of said first boom which is most remote from said second-named axis, and stop means on said first boom for limiting the travel of said distal region of said second boom toward the distal region of said first boom to arrest downward swinging movement of said first boom in said use position, the distal region of said first boom being designed and arranged tosupport such a goal with its bankboard in a vertical plane when said first boom is in said use position.

2. The support means of claim 1 including lifter means operatively engaged with said first boom to move the same from said use position to said storage position and in which said stop means on said first boom extends oppositely from said first boom in substantial parallelism with said first-mentioned axis to engage the embracing portion of said second boom and swing said second boom upwardly about said second-mentioned axis as said first boom is lifted toward said storage position.

3. Support means for a basketball goal comprising a first support boom, means for connecting one end of said first boom for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal and overhead axis between a lower, forwardly and downwardly inclined, use position and an upper storage position, the other end of said first boom being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal, first stop means carried by, and extending laterally outwardly from, said first boom intermediate its ends, a second support boom, means for connecting one end of said second boom for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal overhead axis and between a lower, rearwardly and downwardly inclined, use position and an upper storage position, said second axis being generally parallel to said first named axis, and second stop means carried by said second boom at a point remote from its said one end, said second stop means engaging said first boom in a region between said firstmentioned axis and said first stop means and being arranged, when said second boom is in its lower position, to support said first boom in said use position, and said first stop means being disposed beneath and in supporting engagement with said second boom in its said use position.

4. The support means of claim 3 in which said first stop means is movable along said second boom while maintaining supporting engagement therewith during upward movement of said first boom so that, when said first boom is lifted from said use position toward said storage position, said first stop means will engage said second boom to move it toward its said upper position.

5. The support means of claim 4 in which said first stop means comprises roller means journaled on said first boom for rotation about an axis generally parallel to said first-named axis, said roller means eing proportioned and designed for rolling and lifting engagement with said second boom.

6. The support means of claim 4 including roller means journaled on said second boom for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and disposed in the path of movement of said first boom toward its storage position so that, when said first boom is lifted from said usc position toward said storage position, said first boom will engage said roller means to lift said second boom to its said upper position.

7. Support means for a basketball goal comprising a first support boom, means for connecting one end of said first boom for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal and overhead axis between a lower use position and an upper storage position, the other end of said first boom. being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal, first stop means carried by said first boom intermediate its ends, a second support boom, means for connecting one end of said second boom for pivotal movement'about a second generally horizontal overhead axis and between a lower position and an upper position, said second axis being generally parallel to said firstnamed axis, and second stop means carried by said second boom at a point remote from its said one end, said second stop means being arranged, when said second boom is in said lower position, to engage and support said first boom in said use position, and said first stop means being arranged to engage and hold said second boom in its said lower position, said first boom comprising a rigid elongated member extending longitudinally therealong, said second boom comprising a-pair of spaced apart rigid elongated members extending longitudinally therealong and on opposite sides of said first boom member, said first stop means comprising a pair of radially oppositely extending stop members carried by said first boom member and arranged to engage, respectively, said second boom members, and said second stop means comprising a brace member extending between said second boom members and under said first boom member.

8. In a device of the class described, a first boom comprising an elongated member, stop means extending oppositely laterally from said member at a common distance from one end of said member, means at said one end for mounting said boom to swing, about an overhead, substantially horizontal axis, between an upper, storage position and a lower, use position in which said boom is inclined downwardly and forwardly from said axis, a second boom, means at the proximal end of said second boom for mounting said second boom to swing about an overhead axis parallelwith, and spaced forwardly from, said first-named axis, a distal region of said second boom comprising a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated elements straddling said elongated member of said first boom in a region between said first-named axis and said stop means, and a transverse member joining the distal extremities of said elements for engagement with that surface of said elongated member most remote from said second-named axis, said stop means engaging said elements and said transverse member engaging said elongated member when said first boom is in use position.

mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,551,759 Dated February 9, 1971 Inventor (9'0 Joseph W. Duqanich It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

after the title, "backboard" should be Column 1, line 2 bankboard Column 2 line 22, after "channel" insert member 52 whi may be identical to the channel so that the line will re pair of diagonallyextending pipes 48, 50 and a channe member 52 which may be identical to the channel Signed and sealed this 2L .th day of August 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. SGHUYIER, JR; Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. Support means for a basketball goal which includes a bankboard and a hoop disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the bankboard; said support means comprising a first boom, means for mounting said boom to swing, about an overhead, substantially horizontal axis, between an upper, storage position and a lower, use position in which said boom is inclined downwardly and forwardly from said axis, a second boom, means for mounting said second boom to swing about an overhead axis parallel with, and spaced forwardly from, said first-named axis, the distal region of said second boom embracing said first boom for movement longitudinally of said first boom, roller means carried by said second boom and transversely engaging that longitudinal surface of said first boom which is most remote from said second-named axis, and stop means on said first boom for limiting the travel of said distal region of said second boom toward the distal region of said first boom to arrest downward swinging movement of said first boom in said use position, the distal region of said first boom bEing designed and arranged to support such a goal with its bankboard in a vertical plane when said first boom is in said use position.
 2. The support means of claim 1 including lifter means operatively engaged with said first boom to move the same from said use position to said storage position and in which said stop means on said first boom extends oppositely from said first boom in substantial parallelism with said first-mentioned axis to engage the embracing portion of said second boom and swing said second boom upwardly about said second-mentioned axis as said first boom is lifted toward said storage position.
 3. Support means for a basketball goal comprising a first support boom, means for connecting one end of said first boom for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal and overhead axis between a lower, forwardly and downwardly inclined, use position and an upper storage position, the other end of said first boom being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal, first stop means carried by, and extending laterally outwardly from, said first boom intermediate its ends, a second support boom, means for connecting one end of said second boom for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal overhead axis and between a lower, rearwardly and downwardly inclined, use position and an upper storage position, said second axis being generally parallel to said first-named axis, and second stop means carried by said second boom at a point remote from its said one end, said second stop means engaging said first boom in a region between said first-mentioned axis and said first stop means and being arranged, when said second boom is in its lower position, to support said first boom in said use position, and said first stop means being disposed beneath and in supporting engagement with said second boom in its said use position.
 4. The support means of claim 3 in which said first stop means is movable along said second boom while maintaining supporting engagement therewith during upward movement of said first boom so that, when said first boom is lifted from said use position toward said storage position, said first stop means will engage said second boom to move it toward its said upper position.
 5. The support means of claim 4 in which said first stop means comprises roller means journaled on said first boom for rotation about an axis generally parallel to said first-named axis, said roller means being proportioned and designed for rolling and lifting engagement with said second boom.
 6. The support means of claim 4 including roller means journaled on said second boom for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and disposed in the path of movement of said first boom toward its storage position so that, when said first boom is lifted from said use position toward said storage position, said first boom will engage said roller means to lift said second boom to its said upper position.
 7. Support means for a basketball goal comprising a first support boom, means for connecting one end of said first boom for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal and overhead axis between a lower use position and an upper storage position, the other end of said first boom being proportioned and designed to carry such a goal, first stop means carried by said first boom intermediate its ends, a second support boom, means for connecting one end of said second boom for pivotal movement about a second generally horizontal overhead axis and between a lower position and an upper position, said second axis being generally parallel to said first-named axis, and second stop means carried by said second boom at a point remote from its said one end, said second stop means being arranged, when said second boom is in said lower position, to engage and support said first boom in said use position, and said first stop means being arranged to engage and hold said second boom in its said lower position, said first boom comprising a rigid elongated member extending longitudInally therealong, said second boom comprising a pair of spaced apart rigid elongated members extending longitudinally therealong and on opposite sides of said first boom member, said first stop means comprising a pair of radially oppositely extending stop members carried by said first boom member and arranged to engage, respectively, said second boom members, and said second stop means comprising a brace member extending between said second boom members and under said first boom member.
 8. In a device of the class described, a first boom comprising an elongated member, stop means extending oppositely laterally from said member at a common distance from one end of said member, means at said one end for mounting said boom to swing, about an overhead, substantially horizontal axis, between an upper, storage position and a lower, use position in which said boom is inclined downwardly and forwardly from said axis, a second boom, means at the proximal end of said second boom for mounting said second boom to swing about an overhead axis parallel with, and spaced forwardly from, said first-named axis, a distal region of said second boom comprising a pair of laterally-spaced, elongated elements straddling said elongated member of said first boom in a region between said first-named axis and said stop means, and a transverse member joining the distal extremities of said elements for engagement with that surface of said elongated member most remote from said second-named axis, said stop means engaging said elements and said transverse member engaging said elongated member when said first boom is in use position. 